Strettle makes his mark with five tries

By Rob Wildman

12:01AM GMT 04 Feb 2006

David Strettle may be a long way down the ladder of England senior wings, but the Rotherham player made an instant name for himself on the international sevens circuit in Wellington, New Zealand, yesterday.

Strettle, in his debut match, established a record by scoring five tries in the first half of England's 64-0 win over Papua New Guinea. It was the most by any player in one period since the International Rugby Board circuit was established in 1999.

England, the second seeds, face France in a quarter-final today. Besides their easy win over Papua New Guinea, there was a 19-7 victory over the strong Australian squad and a tricky 12-5 opening success against Scotland.

After a try from the Nottingham player, Alistair Warnock, had put Scotland ahead, scores from the Gloucester duo of Simon Amor and Henry Paul turned the tie around. England included two other new caps alongside Strettle during the day in Dave Seymour, of Saracens, and Danny Care, of Leeds.

Australia face top seeds Fiji in the quarter-finals, with the other games pairing South Africa against Samoa and New Zealand against Argentina.

Council members of the Rugby Football Union have failed to make a final decision on the move by the 56 National League clubs to scrap relegation this season.

Though an RFU task group recommended the move, which would increase the leagues from 14 to 16 teams next season, council members voted 24-20 at a meeting in London yesterday that further consultation was necessary with the clubs affected further down the league ladder.

With the council not due to meet until April 28, a final decision is unlikely to be made until the end of the season.

Leeds lost one centre yesterday, but gained a replacement. A knee injury to Rob Vickerman will end his season, with his absence giving an opportunity to Andy Craig, the Scotland international.

Doncaster have parted company with former South Africa centre Pieter Muller as director of rugby after a disappointing start to their first season in National One. Muller, who joined from Cardiff two years ago, helped to guide Doncaster to the National Two title last season.